Abstract: A stripping composition suitable for stripping external organic coatings, such as exterior waterproof coatings and thin films, contains (a): (A) at least one dibasic ester, e.g. aliphatic esters, (B) at least one dipolar aprotic solvent, e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide, (C) at least one cosolvent, e.g. anisole and (D) a combination of softening agents, e.g. a mixture of ethyl lactate, trimethylcyclohexanone, cyclohexyl acetate, diethanolamine, a dimethoxybenzene, and water.